John Hill, the longest serving district council Chief Executive in the UK retires after 25 years in post at East Cambridgeshire District Council on 31 December.
Under John Hill’s leadership, East Cambridgeshire District Council achieved 12 consecutive years of freezing Council Tax while remaining debt-free.
It is the only district council in the UK to achieve this and has been a cornerstone of the council’s corporate plan, ensuring fiscal responsibility and stability.
The success is largely attributed to the council’s innovative approach to self-financing.
Under John’s guidance, the council set up two successful trading companies East Cambs Trading Company, and East Cambs Street Scene.
Together they have benefited the council by more than £5.2 million in revenue to the council, helping it to keep costs as low as possible for residents and remain debt-free.
John has also played a pivotal role in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, serving as joint Chief Executive from 2018 to 2021.
As Returning Officer, he has presided seven General Elections as well as elections for the Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and for the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
John Hill played a major role in the development of The Hive Leisure Centre in Ely. This £13.5 million project, which opened ahead of schedule in 2018, was a significant investment in the district’s sports and community infrastructure.
Also significant has been the council’s proactive support of Community Land Trusts and neighbourhood planning, both of which encourage local communities to have a proactive role in building new homes and infrastructure.
Other highlights include overseeing the opening of Jubilee Gardens in Ely in 2002, which he was pivotal in saving from housing development and which was officially opened by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate the Golden Jubilee year of HM Queen Elizabeth. He also escorted the future King Charles III and Queen Camilla around Ely Markets when they visited the city in 2018.
His leadership was rewarded in a recent Cambridgeshire-wide survey which suggested East Cambridgeshire residents had the highest satisfaction rates in the council and thought it provided the best value for money when compared with other Cambridgeshire-based councils.
John said: “I feel extremely proud and honoured to have been the Chief Executive of such an amazing council for 25 years. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of officers, members and other valued stakeholders we have been able to achieve some amazing feats and achieved far more than you would normally expect a small council to. It has been a pleasure and a privilege.”
Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Charismatic, committed and clever, John Hill has been a driving force at the council for a quarter of a century, I am honoured to have worked alongside him and proud of the council’s many, many achievements under his leadership. We are small but mighty council and John has been pivotal part of that success.”
He will hand over the reins to Emma Grima, who takes on the roles of Chief Executive, head of paid service and returning officer, from 1 January 2026.